Ducati Monster Forum

I have seen this said many times and after reading one particular thread I thought I would finally ask.

The most common advise given to a perspective owner of a Ducati is:
1. Red key (I get this and yes, this is a must)
2. Service records (this is where I lose it)

What I dont get is how many give the advise that number 2 is a must. Why? In some instances, sure, but there are many on the site who do most if not all of their own maintenance, many even go as far as to say "One way to keep your costs low is to do all your own work". Isnt it sort of a contradiction to say you must have service records, then turn around and do all your own work or give advice as to how to do it. Why even have a "tech" section on the board if we "must" have service records when buying a used bike.

I know its buyer beware and all, but with the wealth of knowledge on this site along with a few others and a good shop manual, good tools, and a basic knowledge of engines, most of us on here with 2v motors should have no problem with almost any task on our bikes. Sure the 4v may be a more work(no FHE), but really anything else is pretty easy.


Just wondering, and of course I know its at ones own risk, but most Ducati owners are pretty passionate about their bikes and take alot of pride in what they do or how they treat the bike.

A "service record" is not necessarily a dealer/shop printout.

Say you're buying a bike with 8K miles on it. It'd be real cool if the guy who claimed he did all the maintenance had a receipt showing he had bought new belts and shims, no?

I agree 100%

I know a lot of people keep a log of their shim measurements at each service interval.  If someone showed me their log and told me they did their belts as well, that'd satisfy me even if they didn't have a receipt. 

+1, i keep a log of all my own work. its not for the purpose of selling, its because its my bike, id like ot know whats up with it. everything gets logged, when i change my tires, when i change my oil, it helps to time the next service etc.

I found an online version of yours:

"He Mans maintenance log

Day 1: Scrubbed F-150 tire marks off of tank-replaced shifter, clutch lever, and sidestand
Day 2: Bent bars so I can continue to turn with ever expanding tank
Day 3: Mounted new fire extinguisher in place of passenger seat
Day 4: Someone stole new fire extinguisher
Day 5: Bike caught on fire while on way to extinguisher store. had to pee on it to put it out-now it smells like hot pee. Got a ticket for obstructing traffic.
Day 6: Some a**hole knocked over my bike while in the extinguisher store!!!"

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

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what's an explanding tank?

Something DNA won't cover.

 [laugh]

Hmm - you totally missed something... that must have been for one month.  Don't forget the Chinese resturant grease trap dumping on his bike too...

ONLY if you are me.

seriously, DNA sent me to a dealership about 50 miles away, which isnt so bad. except its in NEW JERSEY. Atleast i can claim i have some type of disorder and require marijuana now.  :P

Now...wasnt there 2 people who had their bike catch fire randomly? My demon bike gets its ticket to hell on friday...hopefully.

Back ontopic. Maintenance log  thats detailed and makes sense is good. receipts? who cares. I keep my reciepts for a year and then throw them out if the warranty has gone out or i dont have the part anymore. Or if its a disposable part (tires, oil etc) then it gets thrown away immediately.

Well, you me whoever should keep receipts on Mods for insurance purposes.

I keep all mine, mostly because they get tossed in a pile and I don't bother sorting them beyond that. 

I keep a log as well, since I do a lot of my own work. IT just a easy way to keep track of how things stand, and more reliable than my memory. I just use a google doc spread sheet with columns for the word done, mileage and date. Keeps it really easy for me to see if something is too old/too many miles and to know which is which for the things that have a milage or date life - but not both.

For me it's a definite plus when a previous owner can produce a log or receipts that track maintenance. As noted service records don't have to be shop receipts - just records.

 [laugh]

you made me cry. 

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I even keep my old parts (like belts) and write the replacement date on them.

My insurance guy told me, whats on the bike as seen, is considered to be part of the bike value if someone else's insurance pays for it.

however if you are claiming on your own insurance, as is full coverage, then you need insurance that covers aftermarket parts, other wise those parts dont mean jack diddly squat.